Celebrated on January 30, National Croissant Day honors one of the most beloved and iconic pastries: the croissant. Known for its buttery layers and flaky texture, the croissant has become a staple in bakeries worldwide. But did you know this delicious treat didn’t start in France? Its origins are a bit more complex, with roots that stretch far beyond the borders of Parisian bakeries.
The Background of the Croissant
The story of the croissant is said to begin in Austria, not France. According to popular belief, the croissant was inspired by the Austrian kipferl, a crescent-shaped bread dating back to the 13th century. In 1683, after a victorious battle against the Ottoman Empire, Viennese bakers created the kipferl in the shape of the crescent moon on the Ottoman flag. This act celebrated the defeat and became a symbol of victory.
The croissant as we know it today came to France in the 19th century when Austrian baker August Zang opened a Viennese bakery in Paris. His version of the kipferl, made with puff pastry dough, soon became popular and took on its new French identity: the croissant.
When is National Croissant Day Celebrated?
If you’re ready to mark your calendar for a day dedicated to flaky, buttery goodness, National Croissant Day is celebrated every year on January 30. This delicious day provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy a classic croissant or explore new flavors and creative twists. Here’s a look at when National Croissant Day will take place over the next several years:
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | January 30, Thursday |
| 2026 | January 30, Friday |
| 2027 | January 30, Saturday |
| 2028 | January 30, Sunday |
| 2029 | January 30, Tuesday |
| 2030 | January 30, Wednesday |
Fun Facts About Croissants
The croissant’s journey from its early origins to becoming a global favorite is filled with fascinating twists. From its labor-intensive preparation to its versatile forms, here are some interesting facts that highlight the charm and appeal of this beloved pastry:
- It takes time to perfect: Making a traditional croissant is a labor-intensive process that involves multiple steps of folding and layering butter into the dough, known as lamination.
- It’s a breakfast classic: In France, croissants are typically enjoyed with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, making it a popular choice for breakfast.
- Not just savory: Croissants can also come filled with sweet fillings like chocolate (pain au chocolat) or almond paste, adding to their versatility.
- Not always butter: While the butter croissant is the most well-known, you can also find croissants made with margarine, especially in commercial settings.
Ways to Celebrate National Croissant Day
From grabbing a freshly baked croissant at your favorite bakery to experimenting with your own creations at home, there are many ways to enjoy this delightful pastry on National Croissant Day. Here are some ideas to make your celebration even more delicious and memorable:
- Visit your favorite local bakery and enjoy a freshly baked croissant.
- Try making croissants at home by following one of the many recipes available online.
- Experiment with fillings—ham and cheese for a savory option or Nutella for something sweet.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
